MASSE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION TO REVERE COPPER SITE DOCK COLLAPSE: Short and Long-Term Protection Needed for the Great Lakes

December 5th, 2019 - 5:19pm

MASSE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION TO REVERE COPPER SITE DOCK COLLAPSE: Short and Long-Term Protection Needed for the Great Lakes

OTTAWA, ON– Today, Brian Masse, M.P. (Windsor West), NDP Innovation, Science, and Industry Critic and Great Lakes Critic, hand delivered a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change calling for an immediate binational investigation into the Revere Copper Site dock collapse.

On November 27, 2019, the Revere Copper Site on the American side of the Detroit River collapsed most likely due to the weight of the aggregate stored by Detroit Bulk Storage on site. The location once had radioactive contamination and was a former munitions site for the United States Department of defence. It is rated high for contamination because of the residual contamination present and a study done prior to constructing the new bridge between Detroit and Windsor suggested further study was required before land use could be determined because of the potential contaminants.

“An immediate study should be conducted on the dangers presented to the Detroit waterways and Great Lakes region. Forty million people use the Great Lakes for drinking water, and the ecosystem is already fragile. Any potential threat should be investigated immediately on both sides of the border,” stated Masse.

Masse called for a joint investigation that includes the International Joint Commission (IJC) and both National governments. A copy of the letter is attached.

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For more information: Melanie Namespetra 613-996-1541 or brian.masse@parl.gc.ca